Europa League Preview: Cork City -v- Genk

Cork City will be hoping to record one of the most famous European results in the history of the club by overcoming the challenge of Genk and progressing to the play-off round of the Europa League for the very first time.

 

John Caulfield’s side trail 1-0 heading into the second leg with the Belgian side at Turner's Cross, but the display from City in the first leg allows for plenty of encouragment and belief that the Leesiders can turn this around.

 

The fact that City went out and had a right go showcased the positive, attractive football which can be played and the display in Belgium also finally shut up those doubters who said that Caulfield's men cannot get the ball down and only play route one football. Their approach seemed to take Genk by surprise, who may have felt that the tie would have been over at the end of the first leg when the draw was made.

 

There is no doubt that City are underdogs heading into the second leg, but victory is most certainly achievable. Sean Maguire was a threat up front and could, and perhaps should, have scored last week. His pace caused a number of defensive headaches for Genk, while Dooley, Morrissey, Beattie and O’Connor were also among those who impressed going forward for the Leesiders.

 

However, it is crucial that City keep it tight at the back from the start because an early goal for Genk could deflate the atmosphere on the night. So from the rearguard, massive defesive performances will be needed from the likes of Alan Bennett and Kenny Browne, in order to keep out the impressive players Genk have at their disposal.

 

The game will be played in front of a sold out Turner's Cross on Thursday evening and the full and rocking ground will mean for a partisan atmosphere for the Genk players. The City supporters had a brilliant role to play in the victory over BK Hacken, with the Swedes looking shocked at how electric the European nights are at the Cross.

 

It promises to be a memorable occasion on Leeside on Thursday night and if Caulfield’s side can pull off  a victory and progress, it would most certainly rank up among City's biggest results in European history.

 

Steven Beattie has done little training all week and is City’s major injury concern ahead of the game after picking up a knock. Other than that, Caulfield expects to have everybody else fit and available for selection.

 

Athough they were hoping to make the trip to Leeside with a bigger lead than they have, Genk know that it could be a tough evening for them if they don’t get an early goal in front of what is sure to be an electric Cork crowd at Turner's Cross.

 

The highly rated winger Leon Bailey showcased the skills which prove why clubs right across Europe are monitoring his progress, with the man from Jamaica scoring the game’s only goal in the Cristal Arena to give Genk the advantage heading into the second leg.  However, he was subbed off in their Pro League opener at the weekend after picking up a slight knee injury and he will be assessed prior to kick off.

 

Manager Peter Maes will bring his side to Cork looking to avoid a potential banana skin and an early goal would most certainly help in that regard. They are a side who finished fourth in last season’s Belgian Pro League, scoring 42 goals in 30 games.

 

Other players who stood out for Genk in the first leg and will be key to victory for them in Cork include former Swansea City midfielder Alejandro Pozuelo, Nigerian international Wilfred Ndidi and the experienced Thomas Buffel, who has played 36 times for the Belgian national team and counts Feyenoord and Rangers among his former clubs.

 

Defensively, though, Genk looked vunerable during the first leg and Cork City could even have won the game if they had converted decent chances from Sean Maguire, Gearóid Morrissey and Kevin O’Connor. A lot of that could have been down to the fact that Genk were trying to fill the void left by Christian Kabasele who recently moved to England with Watford for €10 million.

 

This is a sign of the big difference in revenues generated by both teams as Genk have produced and sold on players for hefty fees in recent times, including the likes of Christan Benteke, Yannick Carrasco, Thibaut Courtois, Divock Origi and Kevin De Bruyne.

 

Generally, they play quick passing football and are a danger on the counter attack. Though a draw would be the minimum requirment Genk would need to progress, there is no doubt that Maes’s side will be going all out for the win and will stick to their usual game plan. An early goal for Genk would be a crucial turning point in the tie as it would mean Cork would need to score three goals to progress.

 

Genk got their league campaign underway in Belgium on Sunday, courtesy of a 2-1 home victory over Oostende,with the goals coming from Greek international Nikolaos Karelis and Ally Samatta.

 

One thing which could concern fans of Genk however is that their record away from home is far from convincing. It was what proved to be a big setback for them in the Belgian league last season and of course most recently they suffered a scare on the road in their previous Europa League qualifier when they lost 2-0 in Montenegro to FK Buducnost Podgorica, only to progress on penalties to set up this two legged tie with Cork.

 

On top of that, they will be playing in a Turner's Cross that will be heaving with noise and passion, with the fans packed in and practically bearing down on the pitch. They may have played in grounds of a similar size before, but the Genk players may never experience a ground like Turner's Cross on a European night.

 

"We have been told about the atmosphere and the fans in Cork. It is important that we play our own game and we don’t go with them in the fight," said Genk boss Maes, who was speaking in the post match press conference after the first leg with City. "If the focus is good, we’ll have a good game, but anything can happen on the night.

 

"I have seen a lot of games and in Cork I see a team that is very well organised and well drilled. They have some players with experience, good players who lead the game and they keep a lot of clean sheets.

 

"That is very important and we are well aware of what we are facing in the return leg."

 

Referee: Kristo Tohver (EST).

 

 

Cork City last played a team from Belgium at Turner's Cross in the 1997 Intertoto Cup.

 

Cork will be looking to add Genk to a list of sides who in European football have left Turner's Cross in defeat. That includes Appollon Limassol, CSKA Kiev, IFK Gothernburg, Malmo, Nijmegen and BK Hacken.

 

Genk’s manager Peter Maes was a goalkeeper in his playing career, which included winning four league titles in Belgium with Anderlecht.

 

 

Cork City 12/5; Draw 25/10; Genk Evens.   

 

 

Cork City FC 2-0 Genk (AET).

 

 

Injured: John Dunleavy, John Kavanagh.

Doubtful: Steven Beattie.

Suspended: None.

 

Injured: None.

Doubtful: Leon Bailey.

Suspended: None.